Imo Mayhem: Orlu community deserted as eyewitness recounts ordeal

Orlu town is still a ghost of itself 24 hours after a gun battle between some gunmen, soldiers and members of the Ebubeagu security outfit which reportedly left two people dead.

An eyewitness narrated some horrific scenes as the battle raged in the restive community.

Orlu has remained a battleground since the deployment of soldiers in the wake of mayhem unleashed on the community by the Eastern Security Network (ESN) the militant wing of the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

Attempts to go to Orlu was unsuccessful due to advise to go back to Umuaka by some motorists coming from the troubled area.

Among those killed was a musician identified as Roco Nwadiekwe.

One of his friends, who is a movie actor and an indigene of Orlu, narrated how he saw security operatives allegedly shooting civilians during the clash between bandits and security men on Sunday in the area.

He said that the security men were shooting indiscriminately at doors and windows of houses as people ran indoors to escape the staccato of bullets.

The actor who pleaded anonymity said apart from his friend, a teenager and a woman were killed in his presence.

He said that though three persons fell in his presence, there could be other casualties.

“We were at the hotel about to move out for our daily movie shoot which is an epic movie; all of a sudden, we saw people run into the hotel. I watched from the window. The gateman closed the gate and the people remaining outside began to run in different directions.”

The actor further stated that he watched soldiers and other people suspected to be members of the Ebubeagu security outfit exchange gunfire with the gunmen. He said that the gun battle lasted for almost three hours.

However, the police is yet to react to the incident as the Police Public Relations Officer of the state, CSP Mike Abattam, could not respond to inquiries on the incident. (Daily Trust)